The relation of fetal colon and rectum diameters with labor in healthy late-third trimester pregnancies. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Inan, Cihan; Sayin, N. Cenk; Dolgun, Z. Nihal; Erzincan, Selen Gursoy; Uzun, Isil; Sutcu, Havva; Varol, Fusun
• Is Part Of: European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology. Volume 231(2018)
• Page Start: 54
• Page End: 59
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Fetus -- Colon -- Rectum -- Ultrasound -- Fetal distress; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Reproductive health -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Obstétrique -- Périodiques; Gynécologie -- Périodiques; Reproduction -- Périodiques; Verloskunde; Gynaecologie; Voortplanting (biologie); Gynecology; Obstetrics; Reproduction; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2018.10.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-2115

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the associations of fetal colon-rectum diameters with labor and fetal distress or meconium passage in healthy pregnancies in the late 3rd trimester. Study design: A total of 162 healthy, singleton pregnant women at ≥36 0/7 weeks who were in the latent-phase of labor (n = 69) or those not in labor (n = 93, controls) at the time of ultrasound examination were enrolled. Fetal colon (ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid) and rectum diameters, Doppler indices of materno-fetal vessels were measured. Data were analyzed according to the mode of delivery. Results: Fetal colon-rectum diameters were smaller in women in labor compared to controls ( p = 0.001). Positive correlations were observed between fetal colon-rectum diameters and interval between ultrasound and labor onset in the control group except for those who had scheduled cesarean sections (C/S) ( p = 0.001). Similar colon-rectum measurements were obtained in fetuses delivered via cesarean section due to fetal distress or to other indications ( p > 0.05). In women who had uterine contractions during ultrasound examination; later delivered by vaginal route, no association was observed between Apgar scores and colon-rectum diameters during latent-phase ( p > 0.05), and also there were significant positive correlations between different segments of colon-rectum diameters and duration of neonatal meconium passage ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Fetal colon and rectum diameters are smaller during labor and the measurements tend to diminish as the labor approaches, but do not indicate fetal distress.